Portable key safe



Feb. 22, 1966 w 3,236,075

PORTABLE KEY SAFE I Original Filed Sept. 30, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DELBE RT A. WILLIAMS ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1966 D. A. WILLIAMS PORTABLE KEY SAFE 2 Sheets-Sheet z Original Filed Sept. 30, 1960 INVENTOR. DE LB E RT A. WILLIAMS ATTOR NEYS United States PatentOfitice 3,235,075 Patented Feb. 22, 1966 3,236,075 PORTABLE KEY SAFE Delbert A. Williams, 1057 Schurman Drive, Salem, Oreg. Continuation of application Ser. No. 59,528, Sept. 30, 1960. This application Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 333,797 7 Claims. (Cl. 70-63) This application is copending with and is a continuation of my prior application entitled Portable Key Safe, Ser. No. 59,528, filed Sept. 30, 1960, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a portable key safe or the like and has as its primary object the provision of an improved portable safe for containing keys or the like which may be attached in any suitable location for the retention of specific keys adjacent the door which they serve.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a safe which may be readily moved from place to place and affixed to any desired stationary object.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a safe which will contain a key or keys for various locks, which are adapted to be used by more than one authorized person, so that by carrying a single master key each authorized person will have access to a selected key or keys at the location where it is adapted to be used, thus limiting the number of keys required to be carried by an authorized individual, reducing the possibility of loss of keys thus to a minimum.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by various means for attaching the key safe to a stationary object.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a key safe which may be readily attached in a specific location for use by inspectors, salesmen, such as real estate salesmen, watchmen, or various personnel authorized to enter any specific locked locality.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there are disclosed preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of safe including attachment means therefor embodying features of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the attaching means of FIG. 1 with the safe removed, a different position of adjustment being indicated in dotted lines;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, parts thereof being broken away, with the safe shown in place;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, the safe being removed;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a different form of device for attaching the safe to a door;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged end view of the structure of FIG. 6 showing the safe attached thereto;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 9 is a rear elevational view, partially in section, taken substantially along the line 99 of FIG. 8, 70

a different position of adjustment being indicated in dotted lines.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 5, the safe of the instant invention is generally indicated at S, and comprises a receptacle 10 which has an elongated slot or opening 11 in the back thereof, (see FIG. 9) through which locking means in a form to be described more fully hereinafter are adapted to engage, and which also serves as an opening through which keys K contained in the receptacle may be released. The keys are preferably carried on a chain C which passes through an opening 12 in a plate 13 which is secured to the front of the safe S by means of a nut 14, the nut also serving to secure a lock barrel 15 to the front of the device. A face plate 16 is positioned exteriorly of the safe and provided with a keyhole opening for the reception of a safe key K. The key K is adapted to rotate a locking flange 17 which is secured to the lock barrel in rotatable relation by means of the usual bolt 18, the lock barrel and bolt being generally conventional.

In the form of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the locking attachment comprises a shackle 20 of generally U-shaped configuration having one elongated leg 21 with a stop retainer ring 22 at the end thereof. The leg 21 is provided at an intermediate portion with a channel or groove 23, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. The opposite leg 24 of the shackle is of less length, and extends into a bore 25 formed by a pair of confronting arcuate recesses in oppositely disposed plates 26 and 27. A corresponding bore 28 extends along the opposite edge of the plates and receives the leg 21. The bore 28 is open at both ends, while the bore 25 is closed at its lower end as indicated at 29 in FIG. 4.

A spacer plate 30 is positioned between the plate-s 26 and 27, and is provided with an internal recess 31, in which is positioned a U-shaped spring 32. A transverse opening 33 extends from recess 31 into alignment with the groove 23 in leg 21, when the latter is in one position of slidable adjustment. The spring 32 is formed at the end of one of its legs with a substantially perpendicular eyelet 34, which extends outwardly through the plate 27, and which continues to form a locking pin 35 which is adapted to engage in the groove 23 to hold the plate assembly, comprised of plates 26 and 27 and their associated mechanism, in one position of adjustment relative to the shackle 21).

A locking plate 38 is secured as by means of rivets 39 to the inner face of plate 27, and is provided at its opposite ends with upwardly extending portions 40 which terminate in reverted flanges 41, either of which is adapted to be engaged selectively by the locking member 17, in accordance with the position of the safe, securely to hold the safe S in fixed position relative to the plate assembly. The operating member 34 also extends outwardly through an opening 42 in locking plate 38, as best shown in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. Rotation of the key K releases the flange 17 from its engagement with the reverted tongue 41, which permits the safe S to be removed from the locking plate 38. After removal, actuation of the operating member 34 releases the pin 35 from its engagement with the groove 23, whereupon the slide may be moved to the dotted line position disclosed in FIG. 2 being stopped by the stop ring 22. At this time the shorter leg 24 of the shackle may be rotated to release the assembly from the member M to which it has been fixedly secured.

Upon removal of the safe the key K contained therein may obviously fall outwardly through the opening 11 to be used for any desired purpose.

FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive, disclose a modified form of locking arrangement which is adapted to be positioned over a door D, along the top edge thereof. This form of device comprises a U-shaped bracket generally indicated at 50, which includes a bight or top portion 51 and a pair of oppositely disposed legs 52 and 53, the legs being substantially identical except that one of them, 53, is provided with an inwardly extending projection 54, which is adapted to engage under the Weatherstripping W of the door, in the event that such is used.

Each of the legs 52 and 53 is in the form of a plate, as best seen in FIG. 6, and each has extending longitudinally along its outer surface a locking plate 55, the plates being identical so that the safe S may be used on either side of the door. Each plate 55 has a pair of outwandly projecting flange members 56 one disposed at each end thereof, and each including an inwardly reverted tongue 57 which is adapted to be engaged by the lock member 17 for locking the safe S in position as shown in FIG. 7.

In the use and operation of this device the safe S may be removed merely by turning the key K to release the member 17 from its engagement with one of the reverted end flanges 57, and the key shaken out of the opening 11, or suitably removed therethrough to operative position as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 9.

A further modification of the invention is disclosed in dotted lines in FIG. wherein there is shown a V slide 60 which would fit in corresponding slide slots in the safe S, and by manipulation of the lock of the locking member would operate within a suitable slot out within the V-shaped securing member to prevent removal of the safe box.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved portable key safe which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a portable key safe, in combination,

a receptacle,

a key actuated lock member carried by said receptacle and located within the receptacle but actuated from the exterior of said receptacle,

a mounting member of generally U-shaped configuration and including a pair of generally parallel legs connected by a bight portion, said mounting member adapted to fit in generally conforming relation over a margin of a door with one leg of the mounting member disposed next to the inside face of the door and the other leg being disposed next to the outside face of the door,

the portion of one leg only, near the bight of the mounting member, being bent inwardly toward the other leg to form a projecting rib portion which, in the closed position of a weatherstripped door, can fit in sinuous fashion between the Weatherstripping groove and the cooperating tongue of the door and the associated framing, respectively,

the distance between said other leg and the closest portion of said projecting portion being at least as great as the thickness of the door to which the mounting member is to be applied so that the mounting member can also be mounted on an unweatherstripped door and with said projecting portion abutting against the inside face of said door,

lock engaging means on each leg,

said receptacle having an opening in one Wall thereof of a size to receive either lock-member engaging means, depending on which leg is located on the outside face of the door, which in turn is determined by whether the door is weatherstripped or not,

said key actuated lock member being located so that when said receptacle is applied to a leg, the key actuated lock member can be actuated to effect engagement between said lock member and the associated lock-member engaging means whereby the receptacle can be secured to the leg which is disposed next to the outside face of the door regardless of whether the mounting member is applied to a weatherstripped or a non-Weatherstripped door.

In a portable key safe, in combination,

mounting member of generally U-shaped configuration and including a pair of generally parallel legs connected by a bight portion, said mounting member adapted to fit in generally conforming relation over a margin of a door with one leg of the mounting member disposed next to the inside face of the door and the other leg being disposed next to the outside face of the door,

the portion of one leg only, near the bight of the mounting member, being bent inwardly toward the other leg to form a projecting rib portion which, in the closed position of a weatherstripped door can fit in sinuous fashion between the Weatherstripping groove and the cooperating tongue of the door and the associated framing, respectively,

the distance between said other leg and the closest a key receptacle, and means for securing said key receptacle to either leg of said mounting member whereby the receptacle can be secured to the leg which is disposed next to the outside face of the door regardless of whether the mounting member is applied to a weatherstripped or a non-weatherstripped door.

In a portable key safe, in combination,

receptacle,

a key actuated lock member carried by said receptacle and located within the receptacle but actuated from the exterior of said receptacle,

a mounting member of generally U-shaped configuration and including a pair of generally parallel legs connected by a bight portion, said mounting member adapted to fit in generally conforming relation over a margin of a door with one leg of the mounting member disposed next to the inside face of the door and the other leg being disposed next to the outside face of the door.

the portion of one leg only, near the bight of the mounting member, being bent inwardly toward the other leg to form a projecting rib portion which, in the closed position of a weatherstripped door, can fit in sinuous fashion between the Weatherstripping groove and the cooperating tongue of the door and the associated framing, respectively,

the distance between said other leg and the closest portion of said projecting portion being at least as great as the thickness of the door to which the mounting member is to be applied so that the mounting member can also be mounted on an unweatherstripped door and with said projecting portion abutting against the inside face of said door,

lock engaging means on each leg, said receptacle having an opening in one wall thereof of a size to receive either lock-member engaging means, depending on which leg is located on the outside face of the door, which in turn is determined by whether the door is weatherstripped or not,

said key actuated lock member being located so that when said receptacle is applied to a leg, the key actuated lock member can be actuated to effect engagement between said lock member and the associated lock-member engaging means whereby the receptacle can be secured to the leg which is disposed next to the outside face of the door regardless of whether the mounting member is applied to a weatherstripped or a non-weatherstripped door,

each lock engaging means including a pair of spaced reverted tongues on the outer face of the associated leg of said mounting member,

said receptacle being elongated and said opening being elongated in a direction lengthwise of said receptacle,

the margin of said receptacle which defines said opening adapted to fit under a portion of either tongue enabling said receptacle to enclose both tongues,

said lock member being located in offset relation to the center of said opening an extent such as to enable said receptacle to be applied to either leg in either of two positions so that the receptacle may be secured to a leg without regard for its end-to-end disposition relative to such leg.

4. In a portable key safe, in combination,

a receptacle having a slot in one side thereof,

a key actuated lock member in said receptacle adjacent one end thereof,

a mounting plate of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration adapted to engage over the top of a door,

said plate including a bight and a pair of flat plate-like legs,

an inwardly extending projection on one of said legs adapted to engage beneath the Weatherstripping of the door,

an elongated locking plate extending longitudinally along each of said legs, each locking plate being dimensioned to fit in said slot in said receptacle,

and a reverted tongue at each end of said locking plate engageable by said lock member whereby said receptacle may be positioned on either leg of said mounting plate on either side of the door with the member operable to engage a tongue at either end.

5. In a portable key safe, in combination,

an elongate receptacle having spaced, parallel walls,

one wall having an elongate slot formed therein,

a key actuated lock mounted in the opposite Wall thereof actuatable from the exterior of said receptacle,

said lock including a lock member disposed within said receptacle and movable upon actuation of said lock,

mounting means for said receptacle including platelike closure means for said slot,

said plate-like closure means including a plate portion having a pair of reverted tongues spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of said slot,

each of said tongues extending away and outwardly from said plate portion from a point inwardly of the outermost portion of such tongue to thereby accommodate either of the marginal portions of said receptacle that define the ends of said slot to enable said receptacle to fit over both tongues and without regard for the end-for-end disposition of said receptacle,

said lock being oiiset relative to the center of said slot an extent to enable said lock member to engage the nearest tongue regardless of which way the receptacle is applied to said closure means.

6. In a portable key safe, in combination,

an elongate key receptacle having an elongate slot extending lengthwise thereof,

mounting means detachably for mounting said receptacle on a stationary object,

said mounting means including closure means for said slot,

key operated lock means on said receptacle located in oifset relation with respect to the center of said slot,

and spaced lock engaging means on said mounting means for engaging said lock means regardless of the end-for-end disposition of said receptacle relative to said closure means.

7. In a portable key safe, in combination:

an elongate key receptacle having an elongate slot extending lengthwise thereof, said slot being of lesser length than said receptacle to leave lip portions defining said slot,

mounting means detachably for mounting said receptacle on a stationary object,

said mounting means including plate-like closure means for said slot,

portions of said plate-like closure means fitting in said slot in contiguous relationship to both the side and end edges defining said slot to limit lateral movement of said receptacle relative to said plate-like closure means,

said plate-like closure means being of greater expanse than said slot so that said receptacle can be placed thereagainst with the marginal portions of said receptacle surrounding said slot abutting against said plate-like closure means,

key operated lock means on said receptacle located in offset relation with respect to the center of said slot and engageable with a portion of said closure means to hold said receptacle and abutting relation against said closure means and releasably prevent separating movement therebetween,

a portion of said closure means projecting interiorly into said receptacle and behind said lip portions in engagement therewith to cooperate with said key operated lock means in retaining said receptacle and closure means together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,273,580 2/ 1942 Kruschwitz et al. 2,813,620 11/1957 Hansen 63 2,878,663 3/1959 Smith 7014 3,096,409 7/1963 Hubbell et al 7063 3,131,985 5/1964 Blonder 7057 FOREIGN PATENTS 597,592 1/ 1948 Great Britain.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner. 

6. IN A PORTABLE KEY SAFE, IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATE KEY RECEPTACLE HAVING AN ELONGATE SLOT EXTENDING LENGTHWISE THEREOF, MOUNTING MEANS DETACHABLY FOR MOUNTING SAID RECEPTACLE ON A STATIONARY OBJECT, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID SLOT, KEY OPERATED LOCK MEANS ON SAID RECEPTACLE LOCATED IN OFFSET RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE CENTER OF SAID SLOT, AND SPACED LOCK ENGAGING MEANS ON SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR ENGAGING MEANS ON SAID MOUNTING THE END-FOR-END DISPOSITION OF SAID RECEPTACLE RELATIVE TO SAID CLOSURE MEANS. 